Hi Mary

I did get there in the end. It was 5 horrendous hours (left at 1 & arrived at 6), too much in the dark and rain and now I’ve a wait to see which safety cameras got me.

I’m fortunate in that my hand isn’t at all painful but the knuckle on my unaffected hand is which is strange. My fear would be the stuff wrapping around nerves or similar so I hope you’ve no problems there. I don’t think Dr Goode will offer cure (that’s my impression anyway) but he will give you the stats on how radiotherapy can slow significantly, or even halt if you’re really lucky, progression and further damage to your hand/s

Read through this site and print off the radiotherapy presentations for when you see anyone medical. You'll know what you're talking about and I think they respect that and the fact that you have some knowledge of the disease and treatments.

There is no reason that I can see why your GP can’t refer you so don’t take no for an answer. Phone or e-mail Dr Goode’s secretary if you really hit a brick wall with your GP.

I’m at the Arndale Hotel on Wimborne Road. It’s expensive for what it is but I used it a couple of years ago so went with what I know for a couple of days. I might have to find something cheaper for an 8 day stay. Wimborne Road (Poole Stadium end) is a stones throw from the hospital so accommodation on or near is what you’ll need if you get the opportunity.

One thing that I forgot to ask is that I'll need to drive home for 5 hours after treatment in the new year and will my hand be ok to do that? That's going to be a major problem if not.

Cambidgeshire, UK.

Edited 11/19/08 18:05

This morning I received an appointment to see Dr Goode in Poole on 12th January. Trev, I wondered if you had decided to go ahead with the treatment?

I have booked at travelodge at Ringwood, on the way home for the 12th January. Luckily my daughter has booked a villa at Center Parcs at Longleat, Wiltshire for the weekend before so I am going to travel down and stop with her for the Sunday night, this is great because I find Center Parcs so relaxing and being half way to Poole will mean my journey down there on the Monday should only take an hour or so from there. My appointment is for 2.30pm on 12th. Maybe see you there at some point. Good luck